Lagos area boils as youth resist demolition
Youths in Makoko community, Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday barricaded the Yaba area of the Third Mainland Bridge when they heard that the police had stormed the area.
The youths claimed that the policemen were sent to carry out a demolition order.
PUNCH Metro learnt that about 100 policemen arrived at the area around 7.30am with an armoured tank, which immediately created tension among residents of the area.
The policemen were further said to have camped at the Adekunle Police Division in Yaba.
Our correspondent gathered that at about 10am, the policemen began to move into the area. Despite the rainfall in most parts of Lagos, including Yaba, on Thursday morning, the youths went on the street to resist the alleged invasion, which forced the policemen to fire teargas canisters at them. The policemen also shot into the air to scare away the rampaging youths.
During the unrest, which lasted for several hours, it was gathered that two of the youths were arrested by the police and were detained at the Adekunle division. Also, while the clash lasted, many motorists coming from Obalende, and Oyingbo areas, were said to have taken alternative routes.
One of the youths, who identified himself simply as Olusegun, told our correspondent that two people sustained wounds from the shootings, and were being treated at a private hospital in the area.
He said, “We had heard yesterday (Wednesday) that some land grabbers had hired notorious cult members from Fadeyi, Jibowu and Otto areas to come to Makoko, and unleash terror. Since that time we heard, we have been on the alert.
“By 7am, we were surprised to see policemen in our area. They were over 100. By 10am, they marched into our area. They broke down the fences of some houses. One person sustained wounds from their shootings, while another one got a head wound from the teargas canisters.”
Another resident, a middle-aged woman who pleaded for anonymity, said the area had not known peace for a long time as a result of the activities of land grabbers.
“Their aim is to send us away, and sell our lands. This is not the first time they would be using policemen to attempt to evict us,” she said.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that there was police presence in the area, adding that the officers came to execute a court order, but were attacked by youths in the area.
She said, “The police were at Makoko at about 8am today to execute a court order to demolish a certain part of the area. Youths of the area on sighting the police then mobilised and launched an attack. They were armed with weapons.
“Seven policemen sustained pellet injuries and are receiving treatment now. Therefore, police discretionally withdrew to avoid innocent casualities. Security is being heightened in the area now. Also, 11 suspects have been arrested.
Source: Punch Newspaper
The youths claimed that the policemen were sent to carry out a demolition order.
PUNCH Metro learnt that about 100 policemen arrived at the area around 7.30am with an armoured tank, which immediately created tension among residents of the area.
The policemen were further said to have camped at the Adekunle Police Division in Yaba.
Our correspondent gathered that at about 10am, the policemen began to move into the area. Despite the rainfall in most parts of Lagos, including Yaba, on Thursday morning, the youths went on the street to resist the alleged invasion, which forced the policemen to fire teargas canisters at them. The policemen also shot into the air to scare away the rampaging youths.
During the unrest, which lasted for several hours, it was gathered that two of the youths were arrested by the police and were detained at the Adekunle division. Also, while the clash lasted, many motorists coming from Obalende, and Oyingbo areas, were said to have taken alternative routes.
One of the youths, who identified himself simply as Olusegun, told our correspondent that two people sustained wounds from the shootings, and were being treated at a private hospital in the area.
He said, “We had heard yesterday (Wednesday) that some land grabbers had hired notorious cult members from Fadeyi, Jibowu and Otto areas to come to Makoko, and unleash terror. Since that time we heard, we have been on the alert.
“By 7am, we were surprised to see policemen in our area. They were over 100. By 10am, they marched into our area. They broke down the fences of some houses. One person sustained wounds from their shootings, while another one got a head wound from the teargas canisters.”
Another resident, a middle-aged woman who pleaded for anonymity, said the area had not known peace for a long time as a result of the activities of land grabbers.
“Their aim is to send us away, and sell our lands. This is not the first time they would be using policemen to attempt to evict us,” she said.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that there was police presence in the area, adding that the officers came to execute a court order, but were attacked by youths in the area.
She said, “The police were at Makoko at about 8am today to execute a court order to demolish a certain part of the area. Youths of the area on sighting the police then mobilised and launched an attack. They were armed with weapons.
“Seven policemen sustained pellet injuries and are receiving treatment now. Therefore, police discretionally withdrew to avoid innocent casualities. Security is being heightened in the area now. Also, 11 suspects have been arrested.
Source: Punch Newspaper
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